He's been a model soldier and one of the hardest workers I've seen in a long time for Mizzou. As a senior, he deserves to get that first run at the starter gig.

If he can't handle it or Mizzou is better with him coming off the bench, I'm confident that Haith will deal with that and Dixon will take the demotion like he's taken everything in his career. But ultimately he's absolutely earned the starting job going into the season.

Besides, Dixon more of an undersized 2 than a true 1 anyway. And we don't really have anyone to replace Denmons volume as a scorer if Dixon stays on the bench. I don't think you can count on that from Ross or Bell.

If one of them can just force Dixon to the bench, so be it. But it has to be Dixon's job to lose. He's earned that right.

Sure I can see that, and I'm sure we will likely start him. I'm just saying that I think we would be better if he is brought off the bench and we start a more traditional lineup with Bell/Brown at 2 and Ross at 3. I loved bringing him off the bench for instant offense this year.

Dixon is a combo guard and not a pure PG, but he's the closest thing we have to a PG after Pressey. I wonder if it will be difficult for him to shift his mindset from scoring as a 2 guard to distributing as a 1 if Pressey gets in foul trouble.

Gabe DeArmond was on 810 this morning talking about how the staff is preparing for Pressey to leave after next season. I can't imagine him being dumb enough to think he's going to get drafted high enough to warrant making the leap.

Dude's 5'9 with a shaky jumpshot. He's a brilliant facilitator, but I don't know who he could possibly guard in the NBA.

Gabe has been saying this for awhile now and I agree with you, I don't see it at all.

How many sub 6'0" guys even play in the NBA, let alone leave early? Even guys that are considered short like Chris Paul and TJ Ford are at least 6 feet.

You start him. He's going to play 30 MPG, anyway. He's going to be on the floor with Pressey for 25 MPG. Might as well give the senior a bone.

Bell will be an excellent instant offense option and probably, honestly, works a little better with the second unit, which will need his scoring punch. He's used to being a one-man offense, and playing with the reserve group is more similar to that.

I could see them start small, with Bell and Dixon both on the floor, but I have a hard time seeing someone other than Ross start at the 3. Haith loves athletic wings like him, and recruited them en masse at Miami.

The staff is preparing as if Phil Pressey will leave, because there's a possibility he will. It's a CYA manuever to ensure they don't get caught with their asses out if he does jump.

Considering the Pressey family's connections in the NBA, I can't see any way Phil makes the wrong decision.

As far as his prospects... he is a freak athlete at that size. He has the speed/quickness/handles you usually see from tiny guards, but he also is freakishly strong and athletic at that size.

He needs to improve as a shooter to succeed long-term in the NBA, but if he does that, Pressey can be every bit as successful in the NBA as guys like Nate Robinson, Earl Boykins, Mugsey Bogues, Avery Johnson, etc.

The staff is preparing as if Phil Pressey will leave, because there's a possibility he will. It's a CYA manuever to ensure they don't get caught with their asses out if he does jump.

Considering the Pressey family's connections in the NBA, I can't see any way Phil makes the wrong decision.

As far as his prospects... he is a freak athlete at that size. He has the speed/quickness/handles you usually see from tiny guards, but he also is freakishly strong and athletic at that size.

He needs to improve as a shooter to succeed long-term in the NBA, but if he does that, Pressey can be every bit as successful in the NBA as guys like Nate Robinson, Earl Boykins, Mugsey Bogues, Avery Johnson, etc.

You're talking about the most successful short players in history. Maybe Pressey is that good, but there's no way he should leave early. He's going to face an uphill battle just to get a shot in the league. He's not going to get guaranteed money after his junior season.

You're talking about the most successful short players in history. Maybe Pressey is that good, but there's no way he should leave early. He's going to face an uphill battle just to get a shot in the league. He's not going to get guaranteed money after his junior season.

Re: the comparisons... I tried to stick primarily to role players/solid bench guys. I stayed away from true stars like Tiny Archibald, Chris Paul, etc.

What I will say with 100 percent confidence is that if Phil goes early, he will get drafted. If he goes early, it will be because his father's extensive NBA connections - he's part of the establishment - indicate that he should.

I'm not saying he will for sure. There's a chance. And if he takes that chance, it will be a well-informed choice. I'm going to guess his dad probably has a better idea than you or I do about how the NBA scouts view Phil Pressey.

Re: the comparisons... I tried to stick primarily to role players/solid bench guys. I stayed away from true stars like Tiny Archibald, Chris Paul, etc.

What I will say with 100 percent confidence is that if Phil goes early, he will get drafted. If he goes early, it will be because his father's extensive NBA connections - he's part of the establishment - indicate that he should.

I'm not saying he will for sure. There's a chance. And if he takes that chance, it will be a well-informed choice. I'm going to guess his dad probably has a better idea than you or I do about how the NBA scouts view Phil Pressey.

I don't think Pressey will go early either...but I like the fact that the Mizzou coaching staff is considering all scenarios and is being prepared for any outcome that might occur.

Re: the comparisons... I tried to stick primarily to role players/solid bench guys. I stayed away from true stars like Tiny Archibald, Chris Paul, etc.

What I will say with 100 percent confidence is that if Phil goes early, he will get drafted. If he goes early, it will be because his father's extensive NBA connections - he's part of the establishment - indicate that he should.

I'm not saying he will for sure. There's a chance. And if he takes that chance, it will be a well-informed choice. I'm going to guess his dad probably has a better idea than you or I do about how the NBA scouts view Phil Pressey.

I don't disagree. That's why I'm fully confident he will play 2 more seasons.

The coaches likely have some reason to believe - beyond being cautious - there's a good chance Phil will go pro after this season.

That's probably coming from Phil. And if Phil is thinking about it, it's a safe bet he has spoken to his dad about it. His dad is going to have a good handle on the idea. If he's got no chance to get drafted in the first round (and therefore should come back for one more year), they'd know.

So there's got to be some chance that he'll go. I think discounting it out of hand is setting yourself up for disappointment.

Thus far is he bringing in the recruits necessary to compete at a high level?

Obviously kids don't pan out, especially high ranking recruits. That's just some times how it works.

Again, not trolling -- curious. I enjoy a good basketball conversation.

He is, but they have been transfers. Anderson didn't have a single recruit in his last class, so Haith had to plug holes with transfers.

Jabari Brown was the #19 player in the country 2 years ago, and Oriakhi was a McDonald's AA who had a monster tournament when UCONN won the NC. We also grabbed the leading scorer and rebounder from Auburn's team two years ago, Ross, who was a true Sophomore at the time.

In that regard, he's passed with flying colors. He's added a couple of 3* Freshmen who look like solid role players at this point. On the surface, this appears to me the most talented Mizzou squad in a long time.